Cleansing apparatus



May 13, 1941. G. w. RATHJENs v CLEANSING APPARATUS original Filed May 6, 193'5 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR R ww May 13, 1941. G, w. RATHJENS 2,241,646

CLEANS ING APPARATUS Original Filed May 6, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR G: W HA THJE/VJ /xrToRNEY d.

Patented May 13, 1941 CLEANSING APPARATUS George W. Rathiens, Salt lake City, Utah Orl gina] application May 6, 1935, Serial No. 20,043. Divided and this application Septemer as, 1931, serial No.1so,191

' (o1. ca -1o) 9 Claims.

This invention relates to a cleansing apparatus, and constitutes a division of the disclosure embodied in my U. S. Patent No. 2,097,422.

'I'he principal objects of the invention are to provide:

First. Apparatus for eiectively and quickly cleansing articles dispersed in a peculiarly motivated cleansing liquid. f

Second. Apparatus in which the cleansing.

eil'ect of the motivated liquid is varied in intensity.

Third. Apparatus for accomplishing cleansing actions upon articles dispersed in a liquid, the liquid being confined in a container, and the container being reciprocated principally along an inclined line at least so rapidly that the cleansing liquid descends through a down-stroke faster than would be its fall through the same downstroke because of the action of gravity alone.

Fourth. Apparatus for cleansing articles having interstices extending therethrough, principally by causing extremely active circulation of atleast a portion of the-cleansing liquid through the interstices of the articles.

Fifth. Apparatus having multiple compartments for performing successive cleansing operations, with means for automatically transferring the articles from compartment to compartment.

Sixth. Apparatus in which the cleansing operation in a liquid and subsequent de-watering, are performed successively without removing the articles being cleansed.

Seventh. Apparatus whose operation effects conservation of the cleansing liquid to a maximum extent, because of a tendency to continually clarify the cleansing liquid.

The characteristic features of the invention are, that a cleansing liquid is conned in a container which is closed on all sides and the bottom, but open at the top, the liquid being caused to exert a ypeculiarly eiiective washing action upon articles disposed in the liquid. This action is obtained by reciprocating the container along a line having both a vertical and a horizontal component, the rate of reciprocation being at least so rapid, that the liquid descends through a down-stroke faster than would be its descent through the same down-stroke due to the action of gravity alone, wherefore the liquid descends through the down-stroke faster than does at least a part of the material dispersed in the liquid.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 represents a plan in diagrammatic formI of a container suitably mounted and powered for the practice of this process;

Fig. 2, a diagrammatic elevation thereof;

Fig. 3, a fragmentary, diagrammatic side elevation of a trough or container whose near side wall, for convenience, is omitted, the said container confining a liquid, and being provided with receptacles, such as baskets, which are motivated along bearing rails, while the articles within the receptacles are subjected to a suitable vibratory motion, which motion at the same time provides the motive power for moving the receptacles along the bearing members.

Fig. 4, a fragmentary portion of the side ele vation of a container, near side wall being omitted, which shows another arrangement for motivating the receptacles.

Fig. 5, a fragmentary, vertical section, in diagram, of a device for developing certain force effects;

Fig, 6, a cross-section taken on the line 6-6 in Fig. 4, drawn to an enlarged scale;

Fig. '1. a cross-section taken on the line I-l in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8, a cross-section taken on the line 8 8 in Fig. 3: drawn to an enlarged scale;

Fig. 9, a longitudinal, vertical section, taken on the line 9-9 in Fis. 8;

Fig. 10, a vertical section taken on the line Ill- I0 in Fig. 9, drawn to an enlarged scale;

,Fig. l1, a cross-section similar to that shown in Fig. 8, but embodying certain modications;

Fig. 12, a diagram indicating a fragmentary portion of a container in three diiferent positions in one cycle of its reciprocative, vibratory motion.

Fig. 13, a fragmentary portion, in perspective, of a container confining a liquid medium, and illustrating approximately the effect upon the medium when lines of force Vf, of relatively low intensity, are developed therein;

Fig. 14, a. view similar to that in Fig. 13, but illustrating the eiect of increasing the intensity of Vf to the point where the container is reciprocated so rapidly that the liquid descends through a down-stroke faster than would be its descent through the same down-stroke due to the action of gravity alone, whereby a prolic spouting is produced within and upon the liquid medium;

Fig. l5, a vertical cross-section taken through a main container, in which two smaller containers are afloat on the liquid medium conilned in the main container, to illustrate the transformation of certain force eil'ects; and,

Fig. 16, a fragmentary vertical section taken through a container having a liquid medium confined therein. and showing the transverse spouting accomplished by certain deecting elements.

VThis invention depends for its operation upon the development in the liquid medium of a force,

which for convenience is termed Vf. Briefly, this force comes into action when a liquid is confined in a container which is closed on all sides and the bottom, but having its upper surface free from confinement, this container, with the liquid Athe aforesaid U. S. Patent No. 2,097,422.

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral 50 indicates a container arranged for .the practice ofthe process. Suitably disposed below the bottom of the container is a reciprocating means of any well known kind which may consist of a plurality of electromagnetic elements 5| provided with brackets 52, the latter being rigidly connected with the bottom of the container. The container may be mounted on vibrators 53, or other suitable supports, so that the magnets, which in this example act in the direction of the double-pointed arrow 54, when energized, cause the container to vibrate back and forth, and at the same time, up and down. 'I'he axes of the electromagnetic motivating elements 5|, in their horizontal projections, may ordinarily lie in a longitudinally vertical plane of the container, but frequently it is desirable to introduce various transverse components into the motion of the container in order to bring about certain compound lines of travel of articles in the liquid medium. In order to accomplish the latter, the axes of one or more of the motivating elements may be placed in such relation to the longitudinal axis, of the container, that the axes of the motivating elements form suitable angles therewith, in their horizontal projections, as indicated for example, at 5|-I in Fig. 1.

By` varying the line of application of the motivatingy power, various articles placed in the liquid medium are made to follow various characteristic spiral or other irregular paths occupying a space of three dimensions. 'I'his feature renders it possible to expose articles to a prolonged cleansing action. The area of the bottom of the container in Fig. 2, which lies between the point where the bottom is intersected by the surface 51 of the liquid, and the mouth 1| of the container, may serve asa de-watering area.

The interior arrangement of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2, does not relate particularly to the subject of this invention so that the reference numerals 34, 36, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 6|, 62, 63, 64, 65, 61, 68, 69 and 12 are not of interest in the present discussion, these two figures being here included more particularly to show the nature in general of a container and its motive mechanism. For the purpose of the present invention, the interior arrangement of the container shown in Figs. 1 and 2, may be patterned after the order shown in Figs. 3 and 4, reference to which `will be had more particularly hereinafter.

In general, the cleansing of clothes makes it -the clothes be transported through successive compartments where other operations are performed, such as extracting moisture, by means of the same vibratory force which causes the cleansing action to be developed in the liquid. The extraction of moisture is due to the rapidity with which the clothes follow a serrated path through the air, thereby shaking out the moisture. Afterwards, the clothes may be transported into another compartment containing clear water for rinsing, and then into still another compartment where moisture is extracted from the clothes before being discharged. In these operations, the apparatus may be adjusted to accomplish the particular object in view.

'I'he nature of the vibratory force developed in the liquid, can be so regulated that the loosened particles of dirt, as well as soap or other compounds incidental to Washing operations, may be segregated in or on certain portions of the medium, and are ready to be drained olf while the liquid itself is thereby clarified.

The process and apparatus may also be used in washing dishes, in which case, detached food and grease particles can likewise be segregated within the medium, and then be skimmed off in one mass, for incineration, or be transported A container I I0 in Fig. 3, in which various op- I erations may be carried on, has a track I I2 suitably disposed along the inner surface of its side walls. To travel on this track, baskets ||3, or

other receptacles, may be provided with hangers I I4 having shoes I I5 at their upper ends, the latter being adapted to ride along the rails I|2, as indicated in detail in Figs. 8 and 9. The baskets may have perforated or screen side walls ||6, and end walls. I I1, and in many cases, may also have a screen bottom ||8 and screen top IIS. In other cases, baskets .|09 may be provided with a top consisting of a heavy plate IIS-I, Fig. 11, made of glass, metal or other suitable material, which is effective to suppress the eect of the force Vr, which normally acts upward. If desired, defiectors |00 may be provided to direct the force Vr inwardly of the baskets II3, as indicated in Fig. l0.

In Fig. 4 is shown the fragmentary portion of a container |36 which confines a liquid |31. In the bottom of the container may be disposed a ramp member |38, which separates the liquid into individual portions, one of which is indicated at |39. Extending longitudinally along the container |36 may be disposed a pair of rails |40, Fig, 6, and adapted to ride on these rails may be a cage or cylinder MI, having screen walls, and provided with tires |42 which may travel along the rails due to the vibrations imparted to the container. These vibrations at the same time, cause the development of Vf, which is effective to agitate the liquid |31, portions of which latter pervade the inside of the cylinder |4| through the screen, and percolate through anyarticles which may be contained in the cylinder. It is understood that the cylinder has a door (not shown) or other device, by means of which the inside thereof may be reached.

In Figs. 3 and 9, the receptacles |I3 immersed in liquids |06 or I 01, are suspended from shoes ||5 by means of hangers |I4. The shoes are pinched along the rails ||2, because of the transportative component of the motive force, thereby propelling the receptacles ||3 through the liquids |06 and |01 in the container.

In the instance of the cylindrical receptacles III, Figs. 4 and 7, the transportative component of the motive force causes the receptacles to roll along the bottom of the container in a succession of short steps which subtend correspondingly small angles between successive radii originating at the rotative axes of the receptacles MI.

The general movement of a containeris indicated in Fig. 12,' the two extreme positions and one intermediate position being represented. The containerpasses through the reciprocative strokes very rapidly, for example, where an alternating electric current vhaving a frequency of 60 cycles, is employed to energize the electromagnet, there are 120 reciprocations of the container and the liquid in one second.

In Figs. 13, 14 and 16 are illustrated some of the motion effects which take place during the actual operation of this processl It is assumed that the container |99, Figs. 13 and 14 is vibrated along a line represented by the doublepointed arrow 202. 'Ihe dotted line |98 indicates the lowermost position reached by the container. When .the motive power input is small, the surface or normal mirror plane of the medium is caused to'assume a wavy or rippled pattern, somewhat as indicated at 200 in Fig. 13. At a point near an end Wall of the container, there is a concentration of the force Y: suiiicient to overcome the surface tension of the liquid medium, and a slight spouting 4takes place at 20|. As the power input is increased, .the lines of force V: break through the tensioned surface of the medium, resulting in innumerable jets of liquid being projected upwardly from the surface to produce a prolific spouting thereof, indicated at 203, Fig. 1'4, over substantially the entire surface. The intensity of the spouting can be made to 'assume any degree of vigor, and even violence,

16, is represented a side spouting resulting from` the action of the lines of force Vf when locally modified by the inclined undercut face 2| 1 of a riiiie 2|6, which results in a spray 'such as 2|9. The normal spouting outside the field of influence of the undercut rifiie, is naturally straight up, as indicated at 2|8. Where the spray 2|! crosses the upwardly directed spouting 2|8, there is an especially efficient scrambling, mixing or washing action which can be localized within the liquid, as required.

Other ways in which the force Vf can be manipulated to produce localized effects, are noted in Fig. 15, where a main container 3|0 confining a medium SI5, is shown in conjunction with two smaller containers 3|1 an'd 320, the latter being afloat on the medium 3|5, Confined in these respective smaller containers, are mediums 3|9 and 322. The container 3H has a relatively thin bottom 3|8, and may be m-ade of elastic or iiexible material such as rubber or sheet metal, while the container 320 has a relatively thick bottom 32| made of non-flexible or non-elastic material, such as glass or the like. The normal lines of force Vf developed in the liquid of the main container are indicated at SI5. The lines of force 3|9 developed simultaneously in the smaller container 3H, are someat 3H, which latter produce the former. On the other hand, where the bottom of a smaller container is inelastic, as exemplified at 32|, the lines of force 3|8 are bent aside, and the force effect within the container 320, is practically nil,

In Fig. 5, a tapered modifying member 389 located between thebottom surface of the liquid medium and itsV normal mirror plane has the force effect uniform1y diminished from the thin end 381 to the thick end at 388. 'I'he container 380 in which the tapered member is located, may bereciprocated along an inclined arrow 39| or along an oppositely inclined` arrow 892. The lines of force between points"`881 and 388 in either case, are the same. I

In the process, localized violent agitation of the liquid acts directly on the clothesv without causing any injury to the iinest fabrics, because the clothes do not come into injurious vContact with any wood, metal or other material surfaces.

The exact speed of the reciprocations resulting in the development of the force Vr, is not fixed for all purposes, but varies withv dierent mediums and wi-th different articles passing through the medium. The ratio between the rate at which any medium is falling, and 1/gt2,-must be at least greater than unity in order that the force Vf may be of practicalfvalue. The greater the speed of the medium through a down-stroke with respect to 'l/zyt, the greater will be the inintensity of the force. Vr thereby developed.

What I claim is: v' 1. Apparatus for cleansing materials having interstices extending therethrough, comprising a container adapted to substantially confine a cleansing liquid on all sides and the -bottom and to leave a ,free top surface therefor: means for causing vigorous, substantially vertical spouting of the cleansing liquid, said means comprising a motor capable of reciprocating the said container along a line having both a vertical component and a horizontal component, in up-strokes and down-strokes at least so rapidly .that the said cleansing liquid will descend through a downstroke faster than would be its descent through the same down-stroke because of the action of gravity alone; and a freely perforate receptacle what less in their intensity than are the lines of the container.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the stated container includes track rails disposed along the bottom of the container for the purpose of maintaining the perforate portion of the receptacle in spaced relation .to the bottom of the container during the travel of the receptacle along the container.

3. Apparatus for cleansing articles having interstices extending therethrough, including in combination, a container having a. compartment adapted to confine liquid and another compartment in which liquid is extracted from the said articles, the said compartments being in longitudinal alignment with each other. ramp members between the said compartments, a motor operative to impart reciprocative motion to the container in up-strokes and down-strokes along a line having both a vertical and a horizontal component, the said motion being at least so rapid that the said cleansing liquid is caused to descend in a down-stroke faster than would be its descent in the same down-stroke because of gravity alone. a periorate receptacle adapted to conilne articles to be cleansed, and track rails exten longitudinally along the said container, the said track rails being disposed to support the said receptacle in. spaced relation to the bottom of each of the said compartments; the said reciprocative mo- ,tion being eiectiveto cause the said receptacle to travel along the said track rails.

4. Cleansing apparatus for articles having interstices extending therethrough, including in combination, a container for cleansing liquid in which the said articles are dispersed, means operative to reciprocate the container along an inclined line at least so rapidly that the cleansing liquid in the container descends through a downstroke faster than would be its iall through the sameA down-stroke because of the action of gravity alone, whereby a force is generated which causes the cleansing liquid to be circulated through the lnterstices of the said articles, and a body, at least a portion of which is solid, disposed between the bottom of the said container and the wherein the said body, at least a portion of which is solid, is at least partially composed oi' inelastic material.

7. Cleansing apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the said body, at least a portion oi' which is solid, is of non-uniform thickness.

8. Cleansing apparatus, including in combination, a container for confining cleansing liquid. a

motor, disposed to reciprocate .the container in I11p-strokes and down-strokes along a line having both a horizontal and a vertical component at least so rapidly that the cleansing liquid descends in a down-stroke faster than would be its fall because of gravity alone during the same downstroke, thereby causing upward spouting of the cleansing liquid, track rails extending longitudinally along the said container as integral parts thereof, and al periorate receptacle adapted to connne articles to be cleansed, the said receptacle being adapted to travel along the said track rails as a result oi' the reciprocation of the said conarticles dispersed in the cleansing liquid for the tainer, the said track rails and the said receptacle further, having such mutual relationship that at least the periorate portion of the receptacle is spaced apart from the bottom of the container for the purpose oi causing the spouting cleansing uid to enter the said receptacle through the perforations thereof.

9. Cleansing apparatus as recited in claim 8, in which a' rail track is located at a considerable elevation above the bottomoi the container, and the perforate receptacle is suspended from the rail track by means of hangers.

GEORGE W. RA'IHJENS. 

